Property-tax shock

I again was dismayed to see my property-tax bill go up another $1,000 and my neighbor got shocked by a $2,000 increase.

Why can’t school districts, townships and the other 12 taxing bodies go through a zero-based budget process? Budget on real need, not based on the previous year.

The rate of assessment charged for all taxing entities increased by an average of 31 percent for the period of 2010-2012. Individuals on fixed incomes or other working individuals have hardly seen a 31 percent increase in their paychecks.

It is time for constraint in the spending habits of our governance that has seen fit to raise our tax rates.

With the annual property-tax bills in the $9,000 to $20,000-plus range, it is difficult to even think of selling a home. Who wants the burden? What will be the impact when home values eventually go back to what it actually cost to build?

We can all sit back and do nothing, or we can make our voices heard by attending school board, county and township meetings.

The taxes we pay are simply unfair, and it’s time for change. Please become involved in any way you can.

Chuck Stevens

Woodstock

celebrate the best under 40 class of 2017

Join us October 18 from 6-9 pm at Boulder Ridge Country Club as we honor McHenry County's 2017 Best Under 40!